What you cant do when pregnant?

Avoid diving or playing contact sports

Most exercise is safe and healthy to continue during pregnancy. But there are some activities you should not do.

Things to avoid during your pregnancy

Try not to ‘eat for two’

Your baby will take all they need from you as they grow, so there’s no need for extra calories in the first or second trimester. In the third trimester, you might need an extra 200 calories if you are active. This is the equivalent to around half a sandwich.

Avoid losing weight during pregnancy

Cutting out food groups to try to lose weight may stop your baby getting nutrients they need for growth. Instead of restricting your diet, the best thing to do is manage your weight through eating a healthy, balanced diet, with a variety of foods from each of the main food groups.

Avoid certain foods during pregnancy

Some foods carry a small risk of infections during pregnancy, such as toxoplasmosis or listeriosis. These infections are rare but can cause problems for your developing baby.

Avoid caffeine

High levels have been linked to pregnancy complications, so it is best to limit your caffeine intake as much as possible.

The current NHS guidelines recommend that you should have less than 200mg a day. This is about 2 cups of instant coffee.

If you smoke, try to quit

If you smoke, quitting is one of the best things you can do for you and your baby.

Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of serious complications in pregnancy, including miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth.

Quitting smoking can be difficult, but it’s never too late to stop. Get support to quit smoking.

Avoid drinking alcohol

Drinking in pregnancy can lead to long-term harm to the baby. The more you drink, the greater the risk. There is no known safe level for drinking alcohol during pregnancy, so it’s best to avoid it completely during pregnancy.

Stay away from recreational drugs

Cocaine, meta-amphetamines, cannabis, psychoactive substances (so called ‘legal highs’) are all likely to increase risks of health problems.

If you are taking illegal drugs, it is important to talk to your midwife or doctor. They will not judge you and can give you the right care and support during your pregnancy. The more they know, the more they can help you and your baby to get the right treatment.